"Green from the ground up."
From its inception, UC Merced was envisioned as a campus that embodies sustainability. Every building is LEED certified, showcasing our leadership in sustainable campus development. Our commitment extends beyond infrastructure; it's ingrained in our culture and operations.Sustainability
Our Mission
The Office of Sustainability empowers the UC Merced community to understand and reduce their environmental impact. We collaborate across campus to advance our Triple Zero goals:
Zero Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Zero Net Energy Consumption
Zero Waste
Through education, innovation, and community engagement, we strive to create a more sustainable future for all.
Meet the Team
Our dedicated team works tirelessly to integrate sustainability into every facet of campus life. From organizing events to implementing green initiatives, we are here to support and lead UC Merced's sustainability efforts.
Daryl Pierson
Director of Sustainability
Office of Sustainability, UC Merced
Daryl Pierson brings a dynamic blend of academic insight and professional expertise to his role as Director of Sustainability at UC Merced. With a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and a Masters in Urban Planning from Wayne State University, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Oakland University, Daryl’s interdisciplinary background informs his systems-thinking approach to campus sustainability.
Daryl oversees the strategic direction of the university’s sustainability initiatives, fostering cross-campus collaboration to meet UC Merced’s ambitious climate and zero waste goals. He leads efforts that integrate environmental stewardship into academics, operations, and community engagement, ensuring sustainability is not just a goal but a guiding principle across the institution.
When he's not guiding UC Merced’s sustainability journey, you might find Daryl riding his bike across town, hiking the scenic trails of Yosemite, or playing piano while listening to his favorite music.
Sawani Poornima Goonatilleke
Assistant Director of Sustainability
Office of Sustainability, UC Merced
Sawani is the Assistant Director of Sustainability at the University of California, Merced, where she supports campus-wide efforts to advance climate action, operational sustainability, and student-centered environmental leadership. Her work is guided by the belief that universities are living laboratories—places where sustainability is not only planned, but practiced, measured, and experienced every day.
She brings a strong background in sustainability strategy, green building, and project management across higher education, real estate, and consulting. Previously, she managed LEED and GreenPoint Rated projects for affordable housing developments across California and supported corporate and institutional clients in developing and implementing sustainability strategies. Her experience includes ESG benchmarking, climate resiliency assessments, stakeholder engagement, and translating complex sustainability goals into actionable plans. She holds an MBA in Management and a B.S. in Sustainability Studies from the University of California, Riverside, and is a LEED Green Associate, Certified Green Building Professional, and Fitwel Ambassador. She is passionate about equity-centered sustainability, data-driven decision-making, and mentoring the next generation of climate leaders, and thrives at the intersection of strategy, implementation, and collaboration to ensure sustainability initiatives create real, lasting impact.
Beyond her work supporting UC Merced’s sustainability journey, Sawani can often be found talking about her cultural roots in Sri Lanka, cooking new recipes, staying active at the gym, learning new languages, and traveling.
Allajah Wheatley
Zero Waste Coordinator
Office of Sustainability, UC Merced
Allajah Wheatley is the Zero Waste Coordinator at UC Merced, where she leads campus-wide initiatives focused on waste reduction, sustainable resource management, and community engagement. A proud UC Merced alumna (Class of 2015) with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health, Allajah has been deeply involved in campus sustainability since her student years working at the campus Recycling Center and Community Garden throughout her undergraduate career.
In her current role, Allajah manages UC Merced’s integrated waste programs and oversees daily operations of the campus garden and orchard. She collaborates with campus departments, vendors, and student teams to implement sustainable practices that align with UC’s Zero Waste goals. Her work includes coordinating zero waste events, training student interns, and maintaining compliance with university policies.
When she’s not leading zero waste initiatives, Allajah enjoys baking, building things by hand, and exploring nature through peaceful walks.
